THOUSANDS crammed into every corner of Newcastle Foreshore for the city's New Year's Eve celebrations.
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In the first New Year's event not marred by COVID-19 restrictions since 2019, the huge crowds were treated to spectacular fireworks and aeroplane stunt shows by acrobatic pilot Paul Bennet.
The three separate routines from 6.30pm culminated in "an Australian first" when fireworks were fired from Bennet's Cessna 185 Skywagon 1200 feet above onlookers on the foreshore.
Newcastle's fireworks display followed the airshow and for the first time were moved to Horseshoe Beach to provide more vantage points for spectators.
Besides the fireworks and airshow, crowds were entertained by DJs, cultural workshops, bungee trampolines and sensory activities.
City of Newcastle councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said the crowd figures were on par with pre-pandemic levels.
"The last 12 months have demonstrated the resilience and strength of spirit embedded in our community as we have worked together in uncertain times and it was wonderful to see our city come together for a spectacular send-off to 2022, to celebrate everything we have achieved this year, and everything we are looking forward to in 2023," cr Adamczyk said.
Newcastle Wildfires rugby union captain Rob Puli'uvea was among the thousands celebrating on the foreshore, along with his wife Emma and their children Bentley, 6, and Leilani, 4.
It was Mr Puli'uvea's first New Year's Eve in Newcastle in a decade after moving back to the area from Brisbane in 2021.
"I thought they [the fireworks] were going to go for a little bit longer, but maybe that's having different expectations coming from Brisbane where they're a bit bigger," Mr Puli'uvea said.
"There was bit of a buzz and everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I thought the set up at the old Newcastle train station with jumping castles seemed like good fun.
"There were long lines and it was busy, but that's expected."
After the past three years were marred by COVID cancellations or restrictions, Mr Puli'uvea said the mood was buoyant.
"Nobody was concerned about that stuff," he said. "Everyone was nice and close to each other. It didn't even cross my mind."
Mr Puli'uvea said his family's main goals for 2023 were to continue renovating their Elermore Vale home.
Newcastle of University law student Jazzy Miles ventured into Queen's Wharf for lunch with her Central Coast cousin Grace Johnson and her three-month-old son Connor and stuck around to celebrate her first New Year's Eve on the foreshore.
"All the displays were fantastic, so we had a great time," Ms Miles said.
Ms Miles plans to finish her law degree in 2023 and move into the corporate sector.
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